L.F. asks: “Once a mom and dad have raised their young (in a birdhouse), and have 'kicked' the kids out, is it safe to clean out the birdhouse? I ask this because I wonder if some other bird might come across this empty nest and use it on a cold winter night when the wind and snow are blowing.”

Great questions, L.F.! By the time we enter September, birds are done nesting. It’s a good idea to practice good housekeeping by cleaning out all nest boxes. Functional nest boxes open easily to allow you to do this. Using gloves, simply pull all of the old nesting material out of the box and discard it. Wash the inside of the box with a 10 percent bleach solution and allow to air dry.

Birds will indeed use nest boxes to roost in during the winter. If you’d like to provide a cozy roost for them, I recommend placing a couple of inches of natural (no preservatives added) wood shavings in the bottom of the box. It will keep the box cleaner and provide soft bedding for the birds.

Keep in mind that other “critters” might decide to overwinter in the box as well. Mice and flying squirrels often take advantage of an available nest box. If you prefer to keep them out, you can cover the box with a plastic bag and secure it at the bottom with a cable or twist tie. The other option is to move the box to storage for the winter.

When spring is near, be sure to check all of the nest boxes you had out during the winter, and if they were used, repeat the cleaning process so birds have a clean nest box to raise their families in.

If you have any questions about attracting or feeding birds please e-mail me at wbuwausau@gmail.com or give me a call at 715-298-3140.